ICE and NYSE Euronext say merger closing delayed

NEW YORK (AP) - IntercontinentalExchange says its acquisition of NYSE Euronext will not close Monday, because some European regulatory agencies still haven't approved the deal.

NEW YORK (AP) — IntercontinentalExchange says its acquisition of NYSE Euronext will not close Monday, because some European regulatory agencies still haven't approved the deal.

ICE and NYSE Euronext, the parent of the New York Stock Exchange, say they expect the remaining national regulators to approve the deal in the coming days. The companies said the purchase should close two days after the final approval. ICE said it plans to announce a new closing date.

IntercontinentalExchange Inc., a futures exchange, agreed to buy NYSE Euronext in December. The transaction was valued at $8 billion when it was announced.

ICE, based in Atlanta, was founded in 2000 and has expanded rapidly through acquisitions. The combined company would be the third-largest exchange group globally, behind Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing and CME Group Inc. of Chicago.